City Council Resolution: April 25-30, 2011 is officially Philly Tech Week

In case you weren’t convinced yet that Philadelphia’s technology community is being courted, that it’s value for the future of this city and the region is widely known, look no further than City Council Resolution No. 110218.

Introduced by City Councilman Bill Green and supported by his 16 colleagues, the resolution officially marks April 25-30, 2011 as Philly Tech Week.

Are these resolutions a little silly? Yes. But darn it if it isn’t another small step in showing the collective power of our communities. So let’s please show it.

This Thursday, April 7, at 10 a.m., the lead organizers of Philly Tech Week — yes, the same jerks behind this news site — will be receiving an official copy of this resolution to mark the effort, but we all know that, at best, we’re a small voice of this big community. So, we’re inviting any all of you to come. What, you’ve never sat in on City Council? Well, consider this a perfect reason to follow a democratic duty. Check out Council digs and watch the briefly awkward group photo.

Below, check out the resolution (or find the PDF here). While we couldn’t begin to include everyone, please note how we pushed to represent how diverse and broad the technology community in Philadelphia is. (We should add that some of the groups were cut for space issues, please know that we love you all!)

City of Philadelphia
Council of the City of Philadelphia
Office of the Chief Clerk
Room 402, City Hall
Philadelphia
(Resolution No. 110218)
RESOLUTION

Proclaiming the week of April 25, 2011 to April 30, 2011 as “Philly Tech Week,” and honoring the broad Philadelphia technology community.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia technology, innovation, and creative communities are important and valued contributors to the region’s economy, culture, and future; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia technology community – with leadership from technology news site Technically Philly – has organized a series of scheduled events around technology and innovation in Philadelphia called “Philly Tech Week” and scheduled for April 25, 2011 to April 30, 2011; and

WHEREAS, This community includes valued social and nonprofit groups; arts, cultural, and academic institutions; early-stage investment, incubation, and membership organizations; startup entrepreneur ventures; companies of various size and stripe; hackers, coders, designers, developers, and other civic-minded technologists; and

WHEREAS, These groups include Independents Hall, Philly Startup Leaders, Hive 76, the Hacktory, Nonprofit Technology Resources, Science Leadership Academy, Geekadelphia, Devnuts and the Videogame Growth Initiative; and

WHEREAS, These institutions include the Wharton School of Business, University of the Arts, and Temple and Drexel universities; and

WHEREAS, These organizations include the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the African American Chamber of Commerce, First Round Capital, Genacast Ventures, DreamIt Ventures, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners; and

WHEREAS, These businesses include Comcast, Ticketleap, Venmo, SEER Interactive, Azavea, Packlate, P’unk Ave, RJ Metrics, Chariot Solutions, Duck Duck Go, and Little Giant Media; and

WHEREAS, This community features world-renowned institutions like the University City Science Center, the Franklin Institute, WHYY, and the Enterprise Center; and

WHEREAS, This community hosts events like the Science Festival; Philadelphia International Arts Festival; Emerging Technologies for the Enterprise conference; Ignite Philly; TEDx Philly; Switch Philly, Barcamp Philly, and the Junto;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it declares the week of April 25, 2011 to April 30, 2011 as “Philly Tech Week”; encourages all Philadelphians to participate in the series of scheduled events, conversation, and action around technology and innovation; and commends the broad technology community for creating jobs, increasing community, and remaining committed to the betterment of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Philly Tech Week as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

Introduced by: Councilmember Green

Sponsored by: Councilmembers Green, Jones, Greenlee, Goode, Rizzo, DiCicco, Council President Verna, Councilmembers Kenney, Clarke, Reynolds Brown, Blackwell, Kelly, Krajewski, Tasco, Miller, Sanchez and O’Neill